Mad Men went back to the office in episode-4, The Rejected.That’s how I like it: even the personal stories spun off from the workplace. Here are a few rambling and discursive observations:
- The focus group scenes went on a bit too long for my taste. They were only interesting for what they eventually revealed about how Don’s now ex-secretary, Allison viewed Peggy. Allison was under the impression that Peggy had slept her way to her job as a copywriter. That led Peggy to heatedly say: “My problem is NOT your problem.” Hey, at least Allison didn’t throw a paper weight at her…
- I got a kick out of the Bohemian sub-plot involving Peggy and Joyce who’s an artsy fartsy type who works for Life Magazine. Joyce seems to be developing quite a crush on Peggy, which could take us to some interesting places when she makes a move. Btw, Joyce is played by Zosia Mamet who is *that* Mamet’s daughter. Perhaps she’ll unleash a string of Mametian profanity at some point…
- Pete and Trudy Campbell are expecting and the unctuous Pete was able to pry some more business out of his father-in-law because the latter let the “stork is coming” cat out of the bag. Pete is a tricky son-of-a-bitch and well played by Vincent Kartheiser. He was born middle aged and in a blue suit to boot. I always enjoy seeing the spunky Trudy and every time I see them together I say: “He is not worthy of her.”
Okay, that’s my brief take on the episode. The post title comes from the ending when an old man in Don’s building keeps asking his wife “did you get pears.” There was, in fact, a whole lot of pairing in the episode although I didn’t see a paring knife. Hmm, were the pears Bosch or what?
For more coherent musings aboutMad Men, check out theTV Club at Slate. Julia Turner has been on a roll thus far this season whereas I am merely a nattering nabob…
UPDATE: In the comments, Virgo Tex quite correctly points out that Joyce has already made her first move. Joyce also has eyes for SCDP’s receptionist.
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